Dear younger Jonathan Vajda,
I know you have some strong feelings about this, but please hear me out. When you think of a Church that’s really orderly, don’t assume their hearts aren’t in it or that they are just going through the motions thoughtlessly. I realize that you think that pre-written prayers are not as authentic or honest as those said right-off-the-cuff, and that communion shouldn’t be done every week because it will lose significance.
In reality, every congregation will have people whose hearts aren’t in it, and people who are passionate and authentic. It doesn’t ultimately rise and fall on liturgy or mustering up the kinds of thoughts you think you “ought” to feel.
If pre-written prayers are not genuine, then our worship songs need not be pre-written. Actually, if you take the time to write out a prayer, you are in the moment of time where you can meditate on the right things to pray for, to stop and be led by the Spirit in the 15 minutes, hour, or day that you are carefully crafting the right prayer to offer to God before the congregation. Sometimes you ask for things you know you shouldn’t ask; taking the time to think it through is a safeguard against this selfishness. Sometimes you stumble over words not knowing what you’re saying; this allows you to have this time to stumble at your desk, so that when you’re in front of everyone they are led most effectively, clearly and Biblically. Finally, you can make sure that the words coming out of your mouth are beautiful and honoring to God. Eloquence is not just for man: God made man’s mouth for His own glory.
If the frequency of communion implies a drop in significance, then preaching should be every couple weeks or once-a-month. Or skip worship music every once in a while. In early Christian history, the service centered on communion rather than worship music or the preaching; they had a higher view of the sacraments and they wanted to partake. In fact, communion is the gospel, presented a different way. You are proclaiming what Christ accomplished on the cross –breaking his body, spilling his blood– for the making of a new covenant, in which we have union with Christ and community with one another. The fact that it is the gospel means we should partake frequently. If you could summarize a worship service, it is that we are glorying in our unity with Christ and fellowship together, being spiritually fed and worshiping God as he told us to; thus, the communion table is a microcosm of the entire service, a small part that makes the whole in view.
Finally, younger Jon, the Church is broken and, until Christ returns, always will be. Please be patient, as no Church seems to “get it right.” They’re just like you, and need grace and progressive sanctification. Some things will change for the better, and never as fast as you’d like. Embrace high hopes for her, but expect much disappointment along the way. Much disappointment. But never forsake her or dishonor her, because she is your mother.
